COVID-19 Update: 

Out of a concern for the health of our community and to limit exposure, the Portland Police Bureau is changing the way it releases vehicles after a vehicle was ordered to be towed by PPB. PPB is temporarily suspending the practice of requiring vehicle owners to obtain a release by PPB prior to obtaining their vehicle from the tow companies. PPB is also temporarily suspending the $150 administrative fee that is collected when PPB tows a vehicle because it is a traffic hazard, for safekeeping, or when its alarm is continuously sounding.

While vehicle owners will still have to go to a towing company to retrieve their vehicle, this suspension eliminates the need for vehicle owners to travel to PPB Central Precinct to obtain a vehicle release. This temporary suspension will remain in effect for the duration of Governor Brown’s “Stay Home, Save Lives” order. Tow companies may still charge fees for towing and storage and this does not apply to vehicles who have been towed for other reasons and unrelated to PPB.

Portland Police Bureau will notify vehicle owners via phone (when possible) and letter if their vehicle has been towed, along with information on how the owner can recover their vehicle directly from the tow company.

For information relevant to you, click the appropriate response below.

I was notified that my vehicle has been impounded for the following reason:

• Public Safety
• Hazard
• Safekeeping
• Alarm Disturbance, per City Code
• Possible Stolen
• VIN Inspection
• Evidence
• Forfeiture

Parking Patrol Tows – Call 503-823-0044

Abandoned Vehicle – Call 503-823-7309

Vehicle towed from private property (like a parking lot) – Call 503-823-0044

Tag Warrants – Multiple unpaid parking tickets – Call 503-988-3235

My reason is not on this list – Call 503-823-0044

Obtaining Your Towed Vehicle

Please Read Carefully:  If you do not follow these steps, you will be refused service.  You must: 

• Provide valid, current identification with signature and photo (such as a valid driver’s license).  
• Proof of ownership. Towed vehicles will only be released to the person whose name currently appears on the DMV records.
• Proof of operator’s license. You must present a VALID operator’s license. (If you live in another state but have had your Oregon driving privileges suspended or revoked, SEE NEXT)
• If you do not have a valid operator’s license, you must bring a companion with a valid operator’s license with you to the Portland Police Bureau. This companion will need to be present at the tow lot to drive the vehicle, or you must bring a tow truck driver operator with a VALID operator’s license with you to obtain the vehicle release. The tow truck operator will tow the vehicle from the tow lot.
• Payment options: Money orders and cashier checks must be for the exact amount of the transaction. PERSONAL CHECKS and TRAVELER’S CHECKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.

RVS Storage Facility

If your vehicle was towed for Evidence or Forfeiture, it was towed to RVS Storage Facility. 

You must obtain your release from:

Central Precinct in the Justice Center Lobby

1111 SW 2nd Avenue

Portland, OR 97204

Hours of Operation

Monday-Friday 7AM-7PM
Saturday 8AM-4PM

Closed Sunday and City of Portland Holidays

To obtain information on releasing your vehicle call: 503-823-0044.

RVS Storage Facility

Vehicles released by appointment only

Closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday and City of Portland Holidays

In order to obtain a release for your vehicle, you must APPEAR IN PERSON at the Portland Police Bureau. 

You may request a hearing to contest the validity of this tow.  To request a hearing you must submit a Tow Hearing Request Form.  You may obtain this form in-person at the Hearings Office or online at:  http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?c=26645&a=204931 The hearing request must be received by the Tow Hearings Officer no later than 10 days after the vehicle was towed. Send your hearing request to:

Tow Hearings Office

1900 SW 4th, Avenue, Room 3100

Portland, OR 97201

Phone 503-823-7307

Fax 503-823-4347

Recovering Your Towed Vehicle

Please Read Carefully.  If you do not follow these steps, you will be refused service.  You must:      

• Provide valid, current identification with signature and photo (such as a valid driver’s license).
• Provide proof of insurance.   Valid insurance papers must include effective dates listing the impounded vehicle and the registered owner’s name .   
• Proof of ownership. Towed vehicles will only be released to the person whose name currently appears on the DMV records.
• Proof of operator’s license. You must present a VALID operator’s license. (If you live in another state but have had your Oregon driver’s license suspended or revoked, SEE NEXT)
• If you do not have a valid operator’s license, you must bring a companion with a valid operator’s license with you to the Portland Police Bureau. This companion will need to be present at the tow lot to drive the vehicle, or you must bring a tow truck driver operator with a VALID operator’s license with you to obtain the vehicle release. The tow truck operator will tow the vehicle from the tow lot.

If your vehicle was towed because you didn’t have liability insurance, you must present the following:

• A motor vehicle liability insurance policy on the impounded vehicle; or
• A bond approved by a judge of a court of record in this state; or
• A deposit with the State Treasurer; or
• A self-insurance certificate issued by Oregon DMV.
• Proof of insurance must include:
• Register owner’s name;
• Name of Insurance company;
• Effective dates of the policy; and
• The vehicle identification number (VIN) of the impounded vehicle.
• Payment options: Cash (No bills larger than $50.00) and VISA/MC. Money orders and cashier checks must be for the exact amount of the transaction. PERSONAL CHECKS and TRAVELER’S CHECKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.

Portland Police Bureau

1111 SW 2nd Avenue

Portland, OR 97204

Hours of Operation

Monday-Friday 7AM-7PM Saturday 8AM-4PM

Closed Sundays and City of Portland Holidays

To obtain information on releasing your vehicle call:  503-823-0044

FEES: If vehicle is towed to a PRIVATE CONTRACTED TOW LOT, the owner must pay the administrative fees to the Portland Police Bureau and the towing and storage fee to the PRIVATE CONTRACTED TOW LOT.

Possible Stolen & Vin Inspection towed vehicles do not incur an administrative fee

Acceptable forms of payment: Cash (no bills larger than $50), Money Orders, Cashiers Check, Visa and Master Card.

In order to obtain a release for your vehicle, you must APPEAR IN PERSON at the Portland Police Bureau Records Division.

Central Precinct in the Justice Center Lobby

1111 SW 2nd Avenue 
Portland, OR 97204

Public Hours:

7 AM – 7 PM Monday through Friday

8 AM – 4 PM Saturday

Closed Sunday and City of Portland Holidays

Vehicle will be subject to sale if not claimed within 15 days after the first day of storage.

Any owner of a vehicle towed by the City of Portland or TriMet may request a hearing to contest the tow.  To ask for a hearing, you must complete and submit a Tow Hearing Request Form.  Forms may be obtained at the Hearings Office or online at PortlandOregon.gov/auditor/hearings.  The request must be received by the Tow Hearings Office within ten days of the tow.  Hearings are not available for vehicles towed for unpaid parking tickets.

 Send your hearing request to:

Tow Hearings Office

1900 SW 4th

Avenue, Room 3100

Portland, OR 97201

Phone 503-823-7307

Fax 503-823-4347